One of my favorite memories of childhood is my dad at the grill and the tempting smell of wood burning and steaks cooking. Grilling on Memorial Day was like a family tradition for us. Having such family traditions instills values and strengthens bonds.
The reality of grilling has changed a lot. The weather and the temperature might not be favorable for outdoor grilling. You also need to be careful of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry while grilling outside.
But you can still uphold family traditions by grilling indoors. Indoor grilling is safe and affordable. Let’s learn some hacks to get the best out of indoor grilling, shall we?
Why Grilled Food
Grilling is a wonderful way to create family traditions. It is not only fun but also creates a lot of memories with loved ones, not to mention the taste and the health benefits of grilled food.
You can have a nice and cooked moist center without soaking it in tons of oil or fat. There is also the advantage of fat dripping away from your food. You get much better, tastier and healthier food.
Indoor Grilling
Outdoor grilling depends on weather conditions and living patterns. You cannot break out your grill if it's raining, snowing or too hot. If you live in a condo or apartment complex, outdoor grilling might not be an option for you.
Why compromise on good food and health? Indoor grilling tastes the same as outdoor grilling if you have the right equipment.
Types Of Indoor Grills
There are several options available to you if you are opting for indoor grilling. Just be careful not to use an outdoor grill in an enclosed space. That is not indoor grilling.
It’s more about using different hacks to get the same result as grilled food. We have come up with several tricks to give you the best results when you grill indoors.
1. Stove Top Smokeless Grill
These are very easy to use. You can use one on your stove, with no installation fees to worry about. It's ready to use as soon as the stove heats up and easy to use on a gas or electric stove.
You can keep it in your cupboard after use, which is very handy indeed. Grill all you want without having to worry about the weather. You can get that perfect grilled exterior and moist interior with stovetop grills.
Pros:
- Easy to store
- No installation
- Seals the flavors in
- Can be cleaned in a dishwasher
- Can control the heat
Cons:
- Not smokeless
- Does not leave grill marks
2. Removable Plate Grill
Removable plate grills are electric, and you can use them to cook anything from burgers to steaks. You can adjust the height of the grill. These grills cook more steaks at the same time and come with drip trays that make them super easy to clean.
Pros:
- Gives perfect sears
- Easy to clean
- Grills 4 steaks at the same time
Cons:
- Zero temperature control as it's electric
3. Upside Down Grill
A broiler cooks under a flame. You will see your broiler in a new light once you use it for grilling. It has the same health benefits as using an outdoor grill.
The fat drips away. But you need to put a baking tray underneath. Otherwise, it will be a mess to clean up. Preheat your oven so heat will radiate from under the broiler too.
It's easy to monitor the temperature too. You can move the shelf to put a little distance between the heat and the meat.
Pros:
- Temperature control
- Already comes with the oven
- Gives same texture and flavor to food
Cons:
- The dripping can cause a mess
4. Grill Pans
If you live in an apartment, these grilling pans will come in handy for you. Get your grilling on with cast iron grill pans. These pans get extremely hot and can hold heat better than the broiler.
Sear the pan with oil first, so your meat won’t stick to it. Cover the pan to heat evenly and grill away.
Pros:
- Gets extremely hot
- Even temperature
Cons:
- Takes time to clean
5. Open Countertop Grills
These grills sit easily on your kitchen counter. According to faveable.com, countertop indoor grills and electric grills are best for controlling the heat. The drip pan at the bottom holds off grease and fat.
You can avoid a greasy mess easily. The cooking surface is big, so you can grill two steaks simultaneously.
Pros:
- Bigger cooking surface
- Cooks faster
- Better control over heat
Cons:
- No lids might splash and spray your kitchen
Closed Countertop Grills
Like an open countertop grill, this grill sits on your counter. But it has a lid that can be closed, which reduces cooking time. The lid helps cooking on both sides.
It's an easy and convenient way to grill your desired dish.
Pros:
- Even cooking from both sides
- The lid prevents splashing and spraying
- Faster cooking time
Cons:
- Less surface space
- Foods have to be thin in order to close the lid
Don’t forget there are some great outdoor options too like propane grills. You can find several Propane Grills Under $300 which is a good deal.
How To Get the Best Results
We have mentioned all kinds of indoor grills. Once you pick the one best suited for you, you can follow these simple and easy tricks to get the best cooking experience out of indoor grills.
Heat
One of the most important things to remember while grilling is heat. Monitoring the temperature is very important. You don’t want to overcook or undercook your food. Heat the pan properly before cooking.
Seasoning
You might not be able to replicate the exact flavors and textures of outdoor grilling. But with the proper seasoning, you might get some of the burnt flavors. Add liquid smoke when marinating to get the smell of burnt wood.
Timing
Time is of the essence. Don’t keep your food on the grill for a long time. It will be overcooked. Maintain the proper timing. Each indoor grill comes with its own timing manual. Follow that timing to get the best result.
End Note
Grilling brings the family closer and creates wonderful memories. You can get your grilling going with indoor grills. Once you find the right grill, the hacks we shared will give you the best grilling experience.
Author Bio:
Angie Grey, an expert author from Faveable.com brings you all you need to know about fashion and grooming. She loves the outdoors and travels the world like a nomad.
